Cuyahoga Valley Crossroads-National Park Scenic

Cuyahoga Valley Crossroads

National Park Scenic

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By Giles Kennedy

Family and Travel Columnist

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Nestled in Northeast Ohio; between Cleveland and Akron, has Ohio's only National Park.

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Cuyahoga Valley National Park; which has the only scenic railroad run in the heart of the property.

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The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

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https://www.cvsr.org/plan-your-visit/rides

https://www.cvsr.org/plan-your-visit/train-schedule

https://www.cvsr.org/plan-your-visit/stations-maps

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The Railroad is opened year round; but its prime time is May to October.

It offers the National Park Scenic; a various stop or full length experience if you wish.

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Saturdays and Sundays before Memorial Day; it features this service as an ability to hike or explore the National Park.

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Featured trailheads and stations of the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail (which winds along the railroad and the river) include Akron Northside Station, Peninsula and Rockside Station have ticket agents for train ride tickets.

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Tickets range from coach seats to more luxury style passenger seating ($20-38).

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The vintage passenger cars with classic diesel electric locomotives wind the the 24 mile right of way.

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If you should to explore the park; "flag stops" are offered at various points of the line. Simply wave both hands in the air to signal the crew to stop.

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Various points of interest outside of the key ticket stations are as followed.

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Canal Exploration Station

https://www.nps.gov/cuva/learn/historyculture/canal-exploration-center.htm

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It features interpretive buildings, docents and select times of the year, a working lock from the days of the Ohio and Erie Canal.

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Brecksville Station

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https://www.nps.gov/places/000/station-road-bridge-trailhead.htm

Near Cleveland Metroparks Brecksville Reservation; the trails connect with the city park and the National Park. A large parking lot is adjcent to the train station, trails and a horse riding path.

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Boston Mill Visitor Center

https://www.nps.gov/cuva/boston-mill-visitor-center.htm

https://www.nps.gov/cuva/learn/village-of-boston.htm

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This acts as the main Cuyahoga Valley National Park visitors center. It also is nearby art galleries, trails and small shops.

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Peninsula

This long time staple and considered the heart of the park; featuring local eateries, "Trail Mix" Park Store and the CVSR Ticket Office and Station.

https://www.nps.gov/cuva/village-of-peninsula.htm

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Indigo Lake

While the station stop is "modern", west of the station; Hale Farm is historic and interpretive.

https://www.wrhs.org/plan-visit/places-to-visit/hale-farm-village

This is a separate site within the National Park; ran by the Western Reserve Historical Society.

It features a 19th century family farm with animals, crafters and a working farm property.

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Many other attractions grace the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail which follows the Railroad and river.

https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/ohio-and-erie-canal-towpath-trail.htm

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While there are themed rides, special events and more throughout the year; the National Park Scenic ticket package gives you the freedom to explore.

Or, you can do like I did; let the Railroad do the exploring for you.

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A full video from our partners at Crossroads OVR Media is featured on their YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09X_AiJuKD8

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As always, remember..Life is an adventure. Get out there and live it!

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